Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and Domestic Partnerships

News about same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Jul. 29, 2015

Editorial warns that Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage should not be viewed as final triumph as there is much more work to be done to ensure equal status under law for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans; notes that 31 states do not have comprehensive laws that shield gay and transgender people from discrimination; points to Equality Act proposed by Democratic lawmakers in Congress as good first step, but notes it does not go far enough. MORE

Jul. 24, 2015

Ukrainian men Taras Karasiichuk and Mykola Maslov, who traveled to New York City to march in gay pride parade and wed at Manhattan marriage bureau July 1, face for more hostile environs when they return home to their native country; their union is largely symbolic as gay rights do not exist in Ukraine (Series: Summer Love). MORE

Jul. 21, 2015

Op-Ed article by legal scholar William Baude examines whether Supreme Court decision in favor of same-sex marriage paves way for plural marriage; assesses legal arguments both in favor and against plural marriage; suggests that lesson of court's decision is that current society cannot know what future will bring. MORE

Jul. 16, 2015

Op-Ed article by author J Courtney Sullivan urges courts across United States to resolve cases related to married, transgender litigants following Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage; notes many transgender people who consider themselves to be in heterosexual marriages are caught in court system that denies them rights based on outdated definitions of marriage and gender; expresses hope for progress as courts accept that gender cannot be reduced to chromosomes or surgeries. MORE

Jul. 15, 2015

Jul. 10, 2015

Editorial scores government officials and employees in some states who are taking it upon themselves, on religious grounds, to refuse marriage licenses to same-sex couples despite Supreme Court ruling that such marriages are protected by Constitution; says government employees simply do not have a constitutionally protected right to discriminate, whatever their own religious beliefs. MORE

Jul. 8, 2015

Colorado court case to determine whether bakery owner Jack Phillips's refusal to make cake for gay couple's wedding was discriminatory is being closely watched in wake of Supreme Court decision affirming right to same-sex marriage nationally; similar legal skirmishes are occurring across country as states consider necessity of granting legal protections to those who object to same-sex weddings. MORE

Jul. 8, 2015

Twentieth Century Fox announces it has bought life rights of Jim Obergefell, lead plaintiff in case that led to Supreme Court effectively legalizing same-sex marriage throughout the United States, as well as screen rights by still-unwritten book by Obergefell. MORE

Jul. 2, 2015

Episcopalians at church’s general convention in Salt Lake City overwhelmingly vote to allow religious weddings for same-sex couples, reaffirming church’s support of gay rights. MORE

Jul. 2, 2015

Appeals court in New Orleans tells judges in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi to wrap up pending cases over same-sex marriage in accordance with Supreme Court ruling in favor of gay marriage. MORE

Jul. 1, 2015

Grenada County, Miss, circuit clerk Linda Barnette resigns in protest of having to issue same-sex couples marriage licenses, citing her religious beliefs. MORE

Jun. 30, 2015

The Upshot; Supreme Court decision affirming right of same-sex couples to marry is example of trend in American history in which civil rights have expanded and discrimination has declined over time; other issues like gun control and abortion have experienced shifts in public opinion that resist easy predictions of their eventual outcomes. MORE

Jun. 30, 2015

States across the South begin offering marriage licenses to same-gender couples following Supreme Court ruling giving gay men and lesbians constitutional right to marry. MORE

Jun. 30, 2015

David Brooks Op-Ed column suggests to Christian conservatives that in wake of Supreme Court decision affirming same-sex couples' right to marriage, they abandon culture war that has alienated much of country; posits social conservatives are well-equipped to attack problems like lack of stable families in impoverished areas, and should act on those skills rather than continuing to fight battles everyone else has resolved. MORE

Jun. 29, 2015

Supreme Court decision upholding right to same-sex marriage brings joy for many, but leads to Sunday of solemn reflection at evangelical churches that have long opposed change; rapid shift in public opinion has left behind evangelicals, who make up roughly quarter of America's population, leaving them uncomfortable as they try to live out their definitiion of biblical marriage and grapple with members who are coming out as gay. MORE

Jun. 29, 2015

Well-timed pride parades in many cities across nation, including New York and San Francisco, celebrate Supreme Court's affirmation of same-sex marriage in day of jubilation and social catharsis; parades are attended by politicians, celebrities, young revelers and older same-sex couples rejoicing in their long years of devotion. MORE

Jun. 29, 2015

National right for same-sex marriage raises question about domestic partner benefits; some companies are expected to tell employees they must marry within certain time frame, or lose partner's health coverage. MORE

Jun. 29, 2015

Charles M Blow Op-Ed column recalls death of his cousin Larry, who was targeted and murdered as a black gay man in Louisiana; argues that like many others, Larry suffered repercussions of a double 'otherness' that has long inspired a particular type of hatred; laments his cousin did not live to witness Supreme Court's affirmation of same-sex marriage, on same day that a black president publicly eulogized a black man killed out of racial hatred. MORE

Jun. 28, 2015

Op-Ed article by Prof Timothy Stewart-Winter worries that advances made for gay rights, such as ability to serve in military and Supreme Court's affirmation of right to marry, may blind people to struggles of other marginalized groups and civil rights issues; calls on gay community to devote itself to cause of protecting those on margins of society from discrimination. MORE

Jun. 28, 2015

Frank Bruni Op-Ed column reflects on how Supreme Court decision affirming right to same-sex marriage impacts him personally; suggests that decision is clear sign to gay Americans that they fully belong in society. MORE

Jun. 28, 2015

Op-Ed article by Jeffrey Rosen disputes accusations made by critics of Supreme Court Chief Justice John G Roberts Jr that his opinions are politically motivated; suggests both his decisions in same-sex marriage case and in challenge to Affordable Care Act show a consistent vision of both Constitution and court's role. MORE

Jun. 28, 2015

Op-Ed article by author Curtis Sittenfeld reflects on both pleasures and trials of married life in light of Supreme Court decision in favor of same-sex marriage; notes that while marriage is not for everyone, at least decision allows everyone choice of whether to get married or not. MORE

Jun. 28, 2015

Ross Douthat Op-Ed column observes that success of same-sex marriage was preceded by weakening of institution of marriage in American society at large; expresses concern that relaxation of marriage's importance augurs society that has greater loneliness and stagnation overall. MORE

Jun. 28, 2015

Pat Dwyer and Stephen Mosher end their quest, documented by the New York Times Vows column over a number of years, of marrying in every state that allows same-sex couples to wed legally; decision to end their travels comes after Supreme Court rules same-sex marriage legal nationwide. MORE

Jun. 27, 2015

Changes in attitude and legislation regarding same-sex marriage and gay rights have succeeded in making life more equitable for gays, but some question the loss of identity and uniqueness that binds gay community together; some say they feel twinge of loss amid celebration. MORE

Jun. 27, 2015

Supreme Court issues 5-to-4 decision cementing right to same-sex marriage in all states; Justice Anthony M Kennedy writes majority opinion saying all Americans are entitled to right to marry, while dissenting justices peg ruling as an affront to religious freedoms. MORE

Jun. 27, 2015

Republican presidential candidates denounce Supreme Court's ruling that affirms all Americans have the right to marry, regardless of their sexual orientation. MORE

Jun. 27, 2015

Supreme Court Chief Justice John G Roberts Jr angers conservatives and liberals by voting again in favor of Obama administration's health care law and dissenting from decision establishing constitutional right to same-sex marriage. MORE

Jun. 27, 2015

Same-sex couples across the country rush to courthouses to get married after Supreme Court declares gay marriage legal in all states. MORE

Jun. 27, 2015

Conservative lawmakers and religious groups around the country, within hours of Supreme Court's ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, call for stronger legal protections for those who object to such marriages. MORE

Jun. 27, 2015

Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage prompts celebration by both New York Gov Andrew M Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, allowing two men a moment on common ground amid their many disagreements; same-sex marriage has figured prominently in Cuomo's political career and de Blasio's personal life. MORE

Jun. 27, 2015

Editorial applauds Supreme Court decision granting gay couples right to marry; holds affirmation belongs among other landmark, and often contentious, Supreme Court rulings in support of basic human rights and represents rapidly changing opinions among American public. MORE

Jun. 27, 2015

Op-Ed article by Freedom to Marry founder and president Evan Wolfson celebrates Supreme Court decision granting gays right to marry and looks ahead to other looming battles to be fought on behalf of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people; holds despite positive benchmark set by ruling, discrimination against gays still exists in American workplace and elsewhere; contends work of broader movement is far from over. MORE

Jun. 26, 2015

Jim Dwyer About New York column observes fight for federal same-sex marriage rights gathered momentum in New York in four years since being signed into law there in 2011; Supreme Court is poised to decide if states can ban same-sex marriages or refuse to recognize such unions from other states. MORE

Jun. 25, 2015

Conservative religious schools all over country are confronting possibility that Supreme Court approval of constitutional right to same-sex marriage could result in their losing their tax-exempt status unless they move to accept same-sex relationships. MORE

Jun. 24, 2015

Vatican releases paper laying groundwork for discussions on family issues by world's bishops in October, including same-sex unions and divorced Catholics. MORE

Jun. 22, 2015

Profile of Supreme Court Justice Anthony M Kennedy, who despite his conservatism has done more than any other American jurist to advance the cause of gay rights; Kennedy has repeatedly invoked basic principle of human dignity in series of landmark opinions , and will be decisive voice as court decides whether to grant constitutional right to gay marriage. MORE

Jun. 20, 2015

Jun. 16, 2015

Adam Liptak Sidebar column notes that the public and the media are scouring previous remarks, from hearings to earlier opinions, in search for clues about how the Supreme Court will rule in cases considering same-sex marriage and a constitutional challenge to Pres Obama's health care reform law. MORE

Jun. 15, 2015

Series of decisions by Mexico's Supreme Court amount to de facto legalization of gay marriage, though practice has not yet been enshrined in law; court has repeatedly ruled that state laws restricting marriage are discriminatory, adding Mexico to short list of Latin American nations where same-sex couples can marry; such couples still need to obtain court order, often through a costly appeals process. MORE

Jun. 15, 2015

Supreme Court decision on nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage, if ruling is favorable, will still leave some parental issues unresolved; ruling would extend the right to adopt to gay couples, but nonbiological parents will likely have to go through courts in order to cement legal ties with their partner's children. MORE

Jun. 15, 2015

Supreme Court decision that legalizes same-sex nationwide will result in same-sex couples receiving similar benefits to heterosexual couples in areas like tax law, estate planning, divorce, social security, veterans' benefits and medical decisions. MORE

Jun. 12, 2015

North Carolina lawmakers vote 69-41 to override veto of Gov Pat McCrory and enact law that allows court officials to refuse to perform marriages on the basis of religious belief; law follows passage of similar bills in Indiana, Arkansas and Louisiana, and comes amid rise of sharply conservative moves by state's Republican-controlled legislature. MORE

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The Associated Press-GfK poll on same-sex marriage was conducted by GfK Public Affairs and Corporate Communications July 9-13. It is based on online interviews of 1,004 adults who are members of GfK's nationally representative KnowledgePanel.

A county clerk in East Texas opposed to same-sex marriage stepped down from her post on Monday, with local media reports saying she is the first clerk to resign rather than abide by a U.S. Supreme Court decision in June making gay marriage legal.

The Supreme Court appeared ready on Wednesday to strike down a central part of a federal law that defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman. It was the second day of intense arguments over the volatile issue of same-sex marriage.